Surge Protection for Distributed Base Station

OVERVIEW

Today’s increased reliance on very sensitive electronics makes surge protection an important topic for Telecommunication. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety study found that $26 billion dollars was lost due to non-lightning power surges. In addition, there are about 25 million lightning strikes in the US each year that cause between $650M to $1B in losses according to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm©.

This article discusses various configurations of Distributed Base Stations to help you develop a comprehensive surge mitigation strategy. Each section will provide a recommendation on exactly which protector to use for your equipment and where to install these Surge Protective Devices for Distributed Base Stations.

Emergency Power | Distributed Base Station | Cell tower

Surge Threats

As the network expands and intercommunication between multiple Baseband Units (BBU) and the no longer limited constraints of the Baseband unit and RF front end equipment all being within the same space. The Distributed Base stations must protect against surge transients at various locations within the network. Distributed Base Stations typically have at least one baseband unit (BBU), and at least one Remote Radio Head (RRH) and/or Radio Frequency Unit (RFU).

The use of surge protection on radio and televison equipment is also covered within the NEC. Article 810.6, Antenna Lead-In Protectors, requires a UL497E Listed surge protector.

Protection Point : Recommended SPD for Emergency Power

Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model #
Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side	120/208Vac	MDS600E-120Y
Automatic Transfer Switch Load Side	120/208Vac	MS100-120Y
Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side Genset	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
Genset Line Side	120/208Vac	M50-120Y-A
Genset Relay Starter	24Vdc	DS220S-24DC
Genset Battery Charge Controller	120Vac	DS240S-120/G

Protection Point : Recommended SPD for Distributed Base Station

Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model #
Main Panel	120/208Vac	MS100-120Y
AC input	120/208Vac	DS74US-120Y
HVAC	120/208Vac	DS74US-120Y
DC-DC Converter	400Vdc	DS240S-350DC
DC Power Output	48Vdc	DS230S-48DC
Battery Backup	48Vdc	DS230S-48DC
Baseband Unit	Ethernet Ports	MJ8-C6A
Baseband Unit	RS-485	DLA-12D3
Network Switch	Ethernet	MJ8-C6A

Protection Point : Recommended SPD for Cell Tower

Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model #
Radio	RF Coaxial	P8AX09-N/FF
Antenna	RF Coaxial	P8AX09-N/FF
RRH	RF Coaxial	P8AX09-N/FF
DC Power	48Vdc	DS230S-48DC